Introduction

Sichuan cooking is popular throughout China. I can see why – next to Cantonese, it is one of my favourite culinary regions of Chinese cookery. This is one of the best known dishes from that area, but beware of versions that tend to err on the side of excessive sweetness. The dish is quick and easy and makes a wholesome and delicious meal, served with a stir-fried vegetable and steamed rice.

Serves 4

Easy

Ingredients

450g (1lb)

uncooked prawns

1½ tbsp

groundnut oil

2 tsp

finely chopped fresh ginger

2 tsp

finely chopped garlic

2 tbsp

finely chopped spring onions

For the sauce:

1 tbsp

tomato purée

2 tsp

chilli bean sauce

1 tsp

Chinese black vinegar or cider vinegar

1 tsp

sugar

2 tsp

sesame oil

salt and black pepper

For the garnish:

spring onions, sliced lengthways

Instructions

If required, peel the prawns and, if you are using large uncooked ones, cut them down the back and remove the fine digestive cord. Wash them and pat them dry with kitchen paper.

Heat a wok or a large frying-pan over a high heat until it is hot. Add the oil, and when it is very hot and slightly smoking, add the ginger, garlic and spring onions. Stir-fry for 20 seconds and then add the prawns. Stir-fry the prawns for about 1 minute.

Add the sauce ingredients, season with ½ teaspoon each of salt and black pepper and continue to stir-fry for another 3–5 minutes over a high heat. Garnish with the spring onions and serve at once.